Accessory for portable imaging device

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for attachment to a portable image capture and storage device. The apparatus includes an auxiliary lens and an elastic band coupled thereto. The auxiliary lens is shaped for image alteration of an image obtained by the portable image capture and storage device. The auxiliary lens characterized by an optical axis extending from a base of the lens to a crown of the lens. The elastic band extends, at least in part, in a lateral direction, substantially orthogonal to the optical axis, from the auxiliary lens. The elastic band in combination with the auxiliary lens forms a closed loop whereby the apparatus is removably attachable to a peripheral portion of the image capture and storage device to alter the appearance of the image obtained by the portable image capture and storage device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims a priority benefit, under 35 U.S.C. §120,as a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/479,113, filed May 23, 2012, entitled “LENS ACCESSORY FOR PORTABLEIMAGING DEVICE, and like that application, the present applicationclaims a priority benefit, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/574,135 filed Jul. 28, 2011, entitled “LENS ACCESSORYFOR PORTABLE IMAGING DEVICE,” which applications are hereby incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Inventive embodiments disclosed herein relate to image capture andstorage devices and more specifically to auxiliary apparatuses, such aslenses, for use with such devices.

BACKGROUND

Photography with low-end cameras and multiple-use devices with built-incameras has become increasingly popular. However, these devicesgenerally have fixed lenses with fixed focal lengths or a low range offocal lengths. Accordingly, such devices limit a user's ability toexplore a wide range of image capture capabilities and techniques.Unlike some professional quality cameras, cameras integrated withmultiple-use devices, such as mobile phones, and other non-professionalgrade cameras are generally not designed for integration with auxiliarycomponents that expand the image capture capabilities of such devices.For example, professional grade cameras may incorporate lens mountingtechnology (such as a bayonet or thread mounting schemes) that allowsauxiliary components, such as specialized lenses, to be mounted anddismounted to and from the camera body.

In an attempt to increase the range of image capture capabilities ofnon-professional grade cameras and cameras integrated into multiple-usedevices, auxiliary components have been created for a limited number ofthese devices. However, these components generally have a number ofsignificant disadvantages, some of which may be attributed to theirattempt to integrate auxiliary components into a relatively new class ofdevices through methods and in manners akin to those implemented inexisting professional grade devices. More specifically, current systemsfor integrating auxiliary components, particularly lenses, intomultiple-use devices having built-in cameras, are generally complex,multi-component, bulky, expensive, and some times unstable devices thatare cumbersome to integrate with the underlying device and lack deviceportability, characteristics which generally oppose the fundamentalnatures of the base devices.

SUMMARY

In view of the foregoing, the present disclosure describes inventiveapparatuses, methods, and systems that allow an auxiliary component,such as an auxiliary lens to be quickly and easily integrated with awide range of distinct devices, in an ultraportable, highly stable, lowprofile, and inexpensive form, thus allowing users to effectively andefficiently expand the range of their image capture devicessubstantially without regard to the model or configuration of the deviceand the quickly advancing upgrade opportunities.

In one exemplary inventive embodiments disclosed herein, an apparatusfor attachment to a portable image capture and storage device isprovided. The apparatus includes an auxiliary lens shaped for imagealteration of an image obtained by the portable image capture andstorage device. The auxiliary lens is characterized by an optical axisextending from a base of the lens to a crown of the lens. The apparatusalso includes a single elastic band coupled to the auxiliary lens. Theelastic band extends, at least in part, in a lateral direction,substantially orthogonal to the optical axis, from the auxiliary lens.The elastic band in combination with the auxiliary lens forms a closedloop whereby the apparatus may be removably attached to a peripheralportion of the image capture and storage device to alter the appearanceof the image obtained by the portable image capture and storage device.

The elastic band of the apparatus may be conformably coupled to aperipheral portion of the auxiliary lens and the lens may have acircular periphery, in some inventive embodiments.

The auxiliary lens may be at least one of a fisheye lens, a macro lens,a wide angle lens, and a micro lens, in some inventive embodiments.

In some inventive embodiments, the image capture and storage device maybe a mobile phone. The elastic band may be bonded to the auxiliary lens.

The elastic band may be bonded to the auxiliary lens by an adhesive, insome embodiments, and in other inventive embodiments, the elastic bandmay be welded to the auxiliary lens.

The elastic band of the apparatus may be composed of at least one ofrubber, fibers, and fabric, in some inventive embodiments.

In some inventive embodiments, the elastic band completely encircles theauxiliary lens.

In some inventive embodiments, the elastic band is coupled to theauxiliary lens such that the base of the auxiliary lens is permitted tosit flush with a surface of the portable image capture and storagedevice.

The elastic band may include a flash aperture disposed adjacent to theauxiliary lens, the flash aperture permitting transmission of a flash oflight through the elastic band, in some inventive embodiments.

The elastic band may have a width substantially equivalent to thediameter of the auxiliary lens, in various inventive embodiments.

In some inventive embodiments, the elastic band may be coupled to aplurality of lenses, and the plurality of lenses may include lenseshaving a plurality of shapes configured to provide a plurality ofdistinct image alteration capabilities.

The auxiliary lens may include a lens filter in some inventiveembodiments and may include a lens frame, in some inventive embodiments.

Another exemplary inventive embodiment is provided herein. Thisinventive embodiment provides an apparatus for attachment to a portableimage capture and storage device that includes an auxiliary lens and anelastic band coupled to the auxiliary lens and extending from a firstperipheral portion of the auxiliary lens to a second peripheral portionof the auxiliary lens. The auxiliary lens is shaped for image alterationof an image obtained by the portable image capture and storage deviceand is characterized by an optical axis extending from a base of thelens to a crown of the lens. The elastic band in combination with theauxiliary lens forms a closed loop whereby the apparatus is removablyattachable to a peripheral portion of the image capture and storagedevice to alter the appearance of the image obtained by the portableimage capture and storage device. In this inventive embodiment, a firstend of the elastic band may includes a first contour shaped tocorrespond to the first peripheral portion of the auxiliary lens and asecond end of the elastic band includes a second contour shaped tocorrespond to the second peripheral portion of the auxiliary lens.

Another inventive embodiment provides a method of manufacturing anapparatus for attachment to a portable image capture and storage device.The method includes obtaining an auxiliary lens shaped for imagealteration of an image obtained by the portable image capture andstorage device. The auxiliary lens is characterized by an optical axisextending from a base of the lens to a crown of the lens. The methodfurther includes severing a portion of the elastic band such that afirst end of the elastic band and a second end of the elastic bandinclude a contour shaped to correspond to a peripheral portion of theauxiliary lens. The method also includes bonding the first end of theelastic band and the second end of the elastic band to the peripheralportion of the auxiliary lens, such that the elastic band in combinationwith the auxiliary lens forms a closed loop whereby the apparatus isremovably attachable to a peripheral portion of the image capture andstorage device to alter the appearance of the image obtained by theportable image capture and storage device. In some inventiveembodiments, the elastic band is severed by removal of a circularportion of the elastic band. The elastic band may form a complete loopprior to a portion thereof being severed and may be composed of rubberin various inventive embodiments.

It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing conceptsand additional concepts discussed in greater detail below (provided suchconcepts are not mutually inconsistent) are contemplated as being partof the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. In particular, allcombinations of claimed subject matter appearing at the end of thisdisclosure are contemplated as being part of the inventive subjectmatter disclosed herein. It should also be appreciated that terminologyexplicitly employed herein that also may appear in any disclosureincorporated by reference should be accorded a meaning most consistentwith the particular concepts disclosed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The skilled artisan will understand that the drawings primarily are forillustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of theinventive subject matter described herein. The drawings are notnecessarily to scale; in some instances, various aspects of theinventive subject matter disclosed herein may be shown exaggerated orenlarged in the drawings to facilitate an understanding of differentfeatures. In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer tolike features (e.g., functionally similar and/or structurally similarelements).

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an auxiliary lens-band assemblyconsisting of a lens bonded to an elastic band;

FIG. 1A is a top-down view of an auxiliary lens-band assembly consistingof a lens bonded to an elastic band;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the auxiliary lens-band assembly of FIG. 1displayed beside a smart phone;

FIG. 2A is a front view of the auxiliary lens-band assembly of FIG. 1installed on a smart phone;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the auxiliary lens-band assembly of FIG.1 installed on a compact camera;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the auxiliary lens-band assembly of FIG.1 displayed beside a flip-style phone;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the auxiliary lens-band assembly ofFIG. 1 installed on a flip-style phone;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the auxiliary lens-band assembly of FIG. 1installed on a webcam device;

FIG. 6 illustrates a lens-band assembly that includes a band adjustableby means of a sliding buckle;

FIG. 7 illustrates a lens-band assembly including a band that isadjusted by a distinct fastener;

FIG. 8 illustrates an auxiliary lens-band assembly that includes a flashaperture; and

FIG. 9 shows an auxiliary lens-band assembly that includes a pluralityof lenses.

FIGS. 10A-10D illustrate an auxiliary lens-band assembly formed with acounter-bored geometry;

FIG. 11 illustrates an auxiliary lens-band with a rectangularcounter-bored geometry.

The features and advantages of inventive embodiments disclosed hereinwill become more apparent from the detailed description set forth belowwhen taken in conjunction with the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Following below are more detailed descriptions of various conceptsrelated to, and embodiments of, inventive apparatuses, methods, andsystems for attachment of an auxiliary component to a portable imagecapture and storage device. It should be appreciated that variousconcepts introduced above and discussed in greater detail below may beimplemented in a variety of ways, as the disclosed concepts are notlimited to any particular manner of implementation. Examples of specificembodiments, implementations, and applications are provided primarilyfor illustrative purposes.

Inventive embodiments provided herein relate to an auxiliary lens (e.g.,a conversion lens or an optical filter) used for portable image captureand storage devices such as disposable and digital cameras and productswith a built-in camera (e.g. cellular telephones and other electronicgadgets). More particularly, the inventive embodiments provide aninterchangeable and detachable auxiliary lens comprising a conversionlens and a flexible band able to conform to various device shapes andsizes. Because camera devices, smart phones, and mobile phones withcamera components are well known types of portable image capture andstorage devices, exemplary inventive embodiments are discloseddemonstrating integration with such base devices.

An auxiliary lens includes a detachable prime fixed local lengthsecondary lens, filter, or lens-filter combination, which may be coupledto a built-in lens of a camera, thereby changing the opticalcharacteristic of the primary or built-in camera lens. The auxiliarylens may provide artistic accentuations to a photograph obtained by thecamera through the concerted efforts of the primary lens and auxiliarylens.

As used in this specification, portable image capture and storagedevices or cameras shall include, but are not limited to, disposablecameras, digital cameras, cellular telephones with built-in camera orother device with one or more built in-cameras, such devices having anobjective lens for image formation; including the digital as well as thephotographic film-based types. Furthermore, disposable cameras shallinclude other similar camera types such as single use cameras,recyclable cameras, use and mail camera, limited life inexpensivecameras and the like.

An auxiliary lens according to various inventive embodiments providessimilar optical benefits as that of a general conversion lens (e.g.focal length, angle of View, etc.) and includes most all conversionlenses associated with the more sophisticated interchangeable lens types(e.g. telephoto lens, Wide-angle lens, and the like, includingaccompanying filter components) used with higher end cameras orprofessional quality cameras.

As demonstrated herein, inventive embodiments provide apparatuses andmethods allowing an auxiliary lens to be quickly and easily attached anddetached to and from a wide range of structurally different portableimage capture and storage devices in a particularly stable, compact, andeffective manner without the need for additional hardware or devicespecific components or structures.

In embodiment 100, depicted in FIG. 1, lens 1 is bonded directly to aflexible, elastic band 2. Band 2 may be composed of rubber, fiber,fabric, or other elastic materials. Band 2 may be bonded to lens 1 viaan adhesive, chemical bonding, or via a weld or fusion process. Theflexibility of the band 2 allows the band to conform to various shapeswhile the elasticity of the band 2 allows the device to fit securely ona wide range of differently sized devices. The choice of material of theband 2 affects the flexibility, elasticity, and the grip between theband 2 and the device to which it attaches. As demonstrated in FIG. 1,band 2 may be structured to conformably fit or contour to the shape of aperipheral portion of lens 100. This may be achieved in variousinventive embodiments by providing a band with curved ends, for exampleduring a separation or severing of a closed loop band for example via acircular punch. FIG. 1A depicts a top down view of the device shown inFIG. 1. FIG. 1 demonstrates how various embodiments may be implementedwith a single elastic band. As shown in FIG. 1A, the substantially flushmounting of band 1 with the base of lens 1 allows the lens to restagainst a surface of a base image capture device to which lens-band 100is attached. As demonstrated in FIG. 1A, lens-band 100 provides aparticularly low profile and allows an auxiliary lens to be integratedwith a base image capture device, while adding, for example, simply afew millimeters to the thickness of such a device. Accordingly, thelens-band assembly is particularly unobtrusive and allows storage of thelens-band assembly with the device in substantially the same volumetogether as the device occupies without the lens-band assembly.

FIGS. 2-5 depict lens-band 100 applied to a range of devices. FIG. 2shows the lens-band assembly next to an exemplary smart phone device 3.The elastic band 2 of embodiment 100 allows the assembly to tightlyconform to the size and shape of the device as demonstrated in FIG. 2A,thereby provided a secure and stable coupling to the device. The user isable to adjust the lens assembly's position on the device 3, a mobilephone device, to center the lens 1 over the built-in camera 4. Theflexibility of the band allows for the lens 1 to be placed over thebuilt-in camera 4 in virtually any location on the device 3. FIGS. 2 and2A apply similarly to tablet computing devices with built-in cameras andother similarly-formed devices.

FIG. 3 shows the lens assembly installed on a compact camera 5, such asa dedicated point and shoot camera. The shutter release button 6 isshown for perspective. The user may adjust the band 2 such that lens 1is centered over the camera's telescoping lens 7. The elasticity of band2 in lens-band 100 allows auxiliary lens 1 to remain firmly in place ontelescoping lens 7 during an extension or retraction of lens 7 forzooming and focusing by the camera 5. Accordingly, lens-band assembly100 can be used in conjunction with many functions of compact camera 5and further enhance the range of optical capabilities of camera 5. Thedepicted implementation in FIG. 3 is similarly applicable to other typesof compact cameras, such as fixed lens disposable cameras.

FIGS. 4 and 4A depict the lens-band assembly 100 next to and installedon a flip-style phone 8, respectively. As in FIGS. 2 and 2A, the usermay adjust band 2 such that auxiliary lens 1 is centered over built-incamera 9.

FIG. 5 depicts lens-band assembly 100 installed on a webcam 10 for adesktop or portable computer. The flexibility and elasticity of theassembly allows for the use of the various lenses and filters on devicesof widely-varying shapes and sizes.

FIG. 6 depicts lens-band 200 having lens 21 held in a rigid frame 11,which is attached to the band 22. This embodiment allows for the use ofa lens and a band composed of materials not readily bondable to oneanother, for example a glass lens and a rubber band. The rigid frame 11may attach to the band by means of bonding or by looping the bandthrough a feature on the frame and bonding or sewing the band on itself.The lens 21, which has a diameter that is substantially the same as thewidth of band 22, may be held in the rigid frame 11 by means of bondingor being seated in a recess designed to hold it in place. Embodiment 200also depicts an adjustment feature that allows the use of a non-elasticband. The band 22 may be fixed on one end to a standard strap adjustmentdevice 12. The other end of the band 13 loops through the adjustmentdevice 12 allowing the user to adjust the assembly to fit securely overthe portable imaging device that the assembly is being used with.

FIG. 7 depicts lens-band 300, which is similar to the arrangementprovided by embodiment 100 except that the band 32 is an open loop bandthat may be closed and adjusted by means of hook and loop fastener 14,such as a Velcro fastener. This allows for adjustment beyond the limitsof the elasticity of the band 2 itself.

FIG. 8 illustrates lens-band 100 with the additional feature of a flashaperture. A number of portable image capture devices, such as smartphone 3, may include a flash positioned adjacent to the lens aperture.Accordingly, lens-band 100 may be provided with an aperture 15 thatpermits the flash to be used when band 2 traverses the flash. While,aperture 15 is depicted as a circular aperture, the aperture may beelongated and may be provided in a variety of geometries to accommodatea range of distance between the flash and the lens aperture on device 3.

FIG. 9 depicts lens-band 100 with a plurality of lenses. Lens 1, 16, 17,and 18 may all provide distinct optical characteristics. For example,lens 1, might be a macro lens, lens 16 might be a micro lens, lens 18might be wide angle lens, and lens 17 might be a macro lens having adifferent level of magnification than lens 1 or a fish-eye lens.Alternatively, the lens may be provided in a variety of colors, depths,geometries (concave, convex, etc.). Accordingly, inventive embodimentsof a lens-band may be provided such that one assembly allows a user toalter the image capture capabilities of an underlying device in aplurality of distinct ways.

FIGS. 10A-10D illustrate an auxiliary lens-band assembly formed with acounter-bored geometry. FIG. 10A shows the lens-band assembly 400 havingthe counter-bored geometry without the auxiliary lens coupled thereto.Accordingly, FIG. 10A shows the larger diameter of upper bore 401 withrespect to lower bore 402. The difference in diameters of upper bore401, which extends only partially through the depth of the elastic bandand the diameter of the lower bore 402 causes the formation of ledge403. Ledge 403 provides a support at the base of lens 410 shown in FIG.10B. As FIG. 10B demonstrates, various embodiments may afford theelastic band to extend both from a peripheral portion of lens 410 aswell as from the base of lens 410. The lens may also be bonded to thelens at one or more of these extension locations. FIG. 10C provides atop view of the lens-band assembly and demonstrates an embodiment wherethe band encircles lens 410 while FIG. 10D provides a bottom view of thelens-band assembly. In view of the smaller diameter of lower bore 402, aportion of lens 410 is not visible because of the elastic band. FIGS.10C and 10D depict the counter-bored geometry as consisting of acircular geometry, but as demonstrated in FIG. 11, such geometry couldbe created with a rectangular counter bore geometry in lens-bandassembly 500 having an upper rectangular bore 501 and a lowerrectangular bore 502. The counter-bored geometry may also be createdwith other geometric shapes. Additionally, the counter-bored geometriesallow the lens-ban assembly to be created without a complete severing ofthe elastic band, which may provide some assembly advantages.

In yet another inventive embodiment, a lens may be provided with achannel or groove formed in the periphery of the lens. The channel maybe geometrically shaped to conform to a profile of a lens bandattachable thereto. The lens band may include an aperture therein forreceiving the lens. Accordingly, for assembly or manufacture of the lensband assembly according to this inventive embodiment, the lens band, andconsequently the aperture in the lens band, may be stretched and thelens including the channel formed in the periphery thereof may bepositioned in the aperture such that the channel in the lens receivesthe lens band. Such embodiments may be further secured through the useof an adhesive agent or through bonding as described herein.

While various inventive embodiments have been described and illustratedherein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision avariety of other means and/or structures for performing the functionand/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantagesdescribed herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications isdeemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments describedherein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciatethat all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations describedherein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters,dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon thespecific application or applications for which the inventive teachingsis/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able toascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalentsto the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is,therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presentedby way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claimsand equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practicedotherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventiveembodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individualfeature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein.In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems,articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems,articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent,is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure.

Also, the technology described herein may be embodied as a method, ofwhich at least one example has been provided. The acts performed as partof the method may be ordered in any suitable way. Accordingly,embodiments may be constructed in which acts are performed in an orderdifferent than illustrated, which may include performing some actssimultaneously, even though shown as sequential acts in illustrativeembodiments.

The claims should not be read as limited to the described order orelements unless stated to that effect. It should be understood thatvarious changes in form and detail may be made by one of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the appendedclaims. All embodiments that come within the spirit and scope of thefollowing claims and equivalents thereto are claimed.

1. An apparatus for attachment to a portable image capture and storagedevice, the apparatus comprising: an auxiliary lens shaped to alter animage obtained by the portable image capture and storage device, theauxiliary lens characterized by an optical axis extending from a base ofthe lens to a crown of the lens; and an elastic band having an aperturedisposed therein, the auxiliary lens positioned in the aperture suchthat the auxiliary lens in combination with the elastic band coupledthereto form a closed loop, the auxiliary lens and the elastic bandcoupled such that the auxiliary lens is positioned in a plane of theelastic band, whereby the apparatus is removably attachable to aperipheral portion of the image capture and storage device to alter theappearance of the image obtained by the portable image capture andstorage device.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the aperture has aplurality of diameters such that the elastic band extends from aperipheral portion of the auxiliary lens and from the base of theauxiliary lens.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the aperture isconfigured in a counter-bored geometry.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3,wherein the shape of the aperture corresponds to a peripheral portion ofthe auxiliary lens.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the auxiliarylens includes a groove disposed in a peripheral portion of the lens, theelastic band coupled to the auxiliary lens via engagement of the elasticband in the groove.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the elasticband is coupled to the auxiliary lens via an adhesive.
 7. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the periphery of the auxiliary lens and the aperturehave a circular geometry.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theperiphery of the auxiliary lens and the aperture have a non-circulargeometry.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elastic band isclosed loop.
 10. A method of manufacturing an apparatus for attachmentto a portable image capture and storage device, the method comprising:forming an aperture in an elastic band; and positioning an auxiliarylens in the aperture such that the auxiliary lens is positioned in aplane of the elastic band, the auxiliary lens shaped for imagealteration of an image obtained by the portable image capture andstorage device, the auxiliary lens characterized by an optical axisextending from a base of the lens to a crown of the lens, the auxiliarylens positioned in the aperture such that the auxiliary lens incombination with the elastic band coupled thereto form a closed loop,whereby the apparatus is removably attachable to a peripheral portion ofthe image capture and storage device to alter the appearance of theimage obtained by the portable image capture and storage device.
 11. Themethod of claim 10, wherein positioning the auxiliary lens in theaperture further comprises stretching the aperture.
 12. The method ofclaim 10, wherein the aperture has a plurality of diameters and whereinpositioning the auxiliary lens in the aperture further comprisespositioning the auxiliary lens in the aperture such that the elasticband extends from a peripheral portion of the auxiliary lens and fromthe base of the auxiliary lens.
 13. The method of claim 10, whereinforming the aperture in the elastic band further comprises forming theaperture in a counter-bored geometry.
 14. The method of claim 13 whereinthe counter bore includes a diameter that is smaller than a diameter ofthe auxiliary lens.
 15. The method of claim 10, wherein forming theaperture in the elastic band further comprises forming the aperture tohave a geometry corresponding to a peripheral portion of the auxiliarylens.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the auxiliary lens has acircular periphery.
 17. The method of claim 10, wherein the auxiliarylens includes a groove disposed in a peripheral portion of the auxiliarylens and wherein positioning the auxiliary lens in the aperture furthercomprises positioning the auxiliary lens in the aperture such that theelastic band is coupled to the auxiliary lens via engagement of theelastic band and the groove.
 18. The method of claim 10, furthercomprising coupling the elastic band to the auxiliary lens via anadhesive.
 19. The method of claim 10, wherein forming the aperture inthe elastic band comprises forming the aperture with a punchingmechanism.
 20. The method of claim 10, wherein the elastic band isclosed loop.
 21. An apparatus for attachment to a portable image captureand storage device, the apparatus comprising: an auxiliary lens shapedto alter an image obtained by the portable image capture and storagedevice, the auxiliary lens characterized by an optical axis extendingfrom a base of the lens to a crown of the lens; a frame coupled to aperipheral portion of the auxiliary lens; and an elastic band having afirst end coupled to and extending from a first portion of the frame,the elastic band extending from the first end of the elastic band to asecond end of the elastic band, the second end of the elastic bandcoupled to and extending from a second portion of the auxiliary lenssuch that the auxiliary lens in combination with the frame and theelastic band coupled thereto form a closed loop, the auxiliary lens andthe elastic band coupled via the frame such that the auxiliary lens ispositioned in a plane of the elastic band, whereby the apparatus isremovably attachable to a peripheral portion of the image capture andstorage device to alter the appearance of the image obtained by theportable image capture and storage device.